Important Nutritional Steps For Treating Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, 50% of all men and 33% of all women in the United States, will develop some sort of cancer in their lifetime. In a healthy body, cells divide at a controlled rate so as to grow and repair damaged tissues and replace dying cells. This predetermined rate of cell division is what keeps our bodies healthy. If cells keep multiplying when new ones arent necessary, a mass of tissue, called a growth or tumor, is formed. A benign tumor is not cancerous, and can occur anywhere in the body without spreading to other parts and does not come grow back if removed. Malignant tumors however, are cancerous and can be life-threatening. Malignant tumors grow uncontrollably, interfere with normal metabolic and organ functioning, and have the ability to invade other tissues. All cancer cells have two things in common, they grow uncontrollably, and they have the ability to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Possible contributors to the development and growth of cancer, can be divided into three categories:

1. Externals unhealthy environments and exposure to air and water pollution, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides from our food supply.

2. Internal Factors include genetics, infections, and a depressed immune system.

3. Lifestyle factors (what we can readily control) including diet, smoking, drinking, and sun exposure. People exposed to cigarette smoke have significantly higher rates of lung cancer. Regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of mouth and throat cancers. A diet that is high in fat and low in fiber is associated with a greater risk of colon rectal cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. According to a study released by the Harvard University School of Public Health, poor diet, lack of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle elements are responsible for about 65% of cancer deaths.

The following is a breakdown of the overall percentages of cancers many researchers attribute to different lifestyle factors: 1. Poor diet and obesity 30%

2. Smoking 30%

3. Genetics 10%

4. Carcinogens in the workplace 5%

5. Family history 5%

6. Lack of exercise 5%

7. Viruses 5%

8. Alcohol 3%

9. Reproductive Factors 3%

10. Socioeconomic Status 3%

11. Environmental Pollution 2%

Many experts believe that what these factors have in common is that they increase the bodys exposure to free radicals. Free radical damage is an important factor that leads to uncontrolled cellular growth, which is characteristic of cancer. Another significant factor are poor dietary choices and cigarette smoke because they impair the immune system. The immune system is responsible for destroying pre-cancerous cells before they develop into cancer. There are more than a hundred different varieties of cancer; they have different causes and symptoms, and vary in aggressiveness.

However, there are four broad categories

1. Carcinomas Cancers that affect the skin, mucous membranes, glands, and internal organs.

2. Leukemias Cancers of blood forming tissues.

3. Sarcomas Cancers that affect muscles, connective tissue, and bones.

4. Lymphomas Cancers that affect the lymphatic system.

The seven classic early warning signs of cancer:

1. Change in bowel or bladder habits

2. A sore that does not heal

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge

4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing

6. Obvious change in a wart or mole

7. Nagging cough or hoarseness

Recommendations:

Boosting the immune system is very helful for increasing white blood cells and macrophages that are known to attack and literally eat cancerous cells. We suggest a high quality whole food supplement, like VITAFORCE that is complete and made from whole foods. It should be high in natural Vitamin C as well as a wide array of essential nutrients. Make sure you know what you are getting from the nutritional label.

An herbal detoxification program may be helpful in removing aluminum, other heavy metals, and thousand of other toxins and poisons from the body. These toxins have been shown to have an overall significant depressing effect on the immune system. Look for organic whole herb formulas. If interested, take a look at our selection of herbal formulas.

Eat a minimum of 50% raw organic foods; including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, squash, yams, apples, all berries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, plums, Brazil nuts, and legumes. All of these foods have important nutrients and phytochemicals, which are important in fighting and preventing cancer. Berries protect DNA from damage. Many of the plant pigments in red, yellow, orange, and blue fruits and vegetables, are good sources of antioxidants (destroys free radicals).

Eat raw garlic liberally as it enhances the immune system and is a good cancer fighter.

Eat 10 raw almonds every day. Almonds contain Laetrile, which has anti-cancer properties.

Green tea has many cancer fighting properties, including a substance known as EGCg, which has been found to cut off blood vessels that feed cancerous tumors.

Eat as many tomatoes as possible. Tomatoes contain a phyto-nutrient and antioxidant called lycopene, which protects against and fights cancer.

Drink fresh live juices including varying combinations of the following juices including beetroot, beet greens, carrot, cabbage, and asparagus. Also drink grape, black cherry, and all dark colored juices.

Drink steam distilled water only. Use a filter for your shower.

Increased levels of radium in public tap water has been associated with increased rates of lung, bladder, and breast cancers, as well as leukemias.

Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to promote oxygen in the tissues. Cancer cannot live in the presence of oxygen.

Yoga and deep breathing can also be very helpful.

Because of potential low-level radiation leakage, avoid microwave ovens. Sit a minimum of 8 feet away from televisions and avoid x-rays.

Avoid chemicals such as hairsprays, cleaning products, fresh paints, and garden pesticides.

Remove all other known and suspected carcinogens from your life and home.

As much as possible, avoid stress.

Things to Avoid:

All Animal Foods: dairy foods (milk, cheese, butter, cream, ice cream), fish, meat, chicken, turkey, eggs, fried and greasy foods, margarine, and all other processed foods and animal derived products from your diet. These foods are laced with chemicals, pesticides, and toxins as well as high levels of saturated fats which have a very damaging a draining effect on the immune system and the rest of the body.

Salt, tobacco, caffeine, sodas, coffee, sugar, and refined white flour (breads, pastas, cereals- replace with whole wheat pastas, breads, and cereals). These products are extraordinarily destructive to the immune system and the body.

References:

1) James F. Balch, M.D, Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," (1997)

Scott Malin is rapidly becoming a widely respected writer on the subject of nutrition and detoxification. You can find excellent advice about how to successfully detox in a safe and healthy way at: http://www.organichealthandbeauty.com/New-Detox-Diet_ep_227-1.html

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What You Need to Know When You Start Yoga Exercises

No down you have heard about yoga for years but you may not really know much about it. If you are just a beginner in the yoga world, here are some things that you need to know about before you start.

There are several different styles or kinds of yoga exercises, that range from very gentle and relaxing positions to fairly fast-paced cardio workouts. So first decide what you want to accomplish with yoga. If you have suffered an injury or are trying to manage pain, then perhaps one of the more gentle types of yoga will be best at least for now.

So how do you learn how to practice yoga? Well, there are plenty of DVDs and videos available that can help you learn more about it. However, it's usually best to learn the exercises from a quality instructor instead. There are many yoga classes available at studios and gyms all across the country. It may be a good idea to ask around and get recommendations from others about the best yoga instructors in your area. A good instructor will be very patient with you as you start out and will focus on teaching you not only the exercises themselves, but also how to maintain proper body alignment and breathing techniques throughout the positions and poses. It's a good idea to visit a few yoga classes and perhaps sit in on a session or two to learn more about each instructor, and then choose the one that you like best.

It's important that you approach yoga with the right mental attitude. It is not a competition. It is not a challenge. You are not trying to do something better than anyone else. In fact, yoga is a very personal experience. So listen to your own body as you learn the exercises and you can't go wrong.

So what equipment are you going to need for this new adventure? Well, wearing the right clothing will be important. Your clothing needs to be comfortable and not restrictive. And since you can get very warm from practicing the poses and positions, your clothing should also be breathable and keep your skin as dry as possible.

Perhaps the most common piece of equipment is a yoga mat. They can actually come in handy for a couple of reasons. First of all, the mat can help keep you from slipping as you exercise on the floor. This gets more important as the session progresses and you perspire at your body heats up. The other benefit of using a yoga mat is that it keeps you from having to sit on a hard bare floor. There are several types of mats available, so just choose the one that fits you best.

Water will be important to have handy as you will need to stay hydrated as you exercise and replace any lost fluids. Generally, it's best to practice yoga on an empty stomach, so try to avoid eating heavy meals very soon beforehand too.

Many people have found that yoga makes a very important contribution to their mental and physical well-being. Hopefully, it can do the same for you.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.

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